Adrian Cronauer's Crystal City, Inside and Out
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| Video Tour |  |
Description: an all-weather, indoor/outdoor tour. The full circuit should take about half an hour to forty-five minutes, not counting pit stops for refreshments or other indulgences.
Welcome to Crystal City! My name is Adrian Cronauer, and I'm sure that some of you might be saying to yourselves, "Why do I know that name?" I'm the guy that Robin Williams portrayed in the movie, Good Morning, Vietnam (available from the Arlington County Library, by the way). I've been an Arlington resident since 1988, and I also work in Arlington -- my office is here in Crystal City. I'm currently a communications lawyer working as a Special Assistant to the Director of the POW and MIA Office.
BEGIN HERE: Crystal City Water Park
Here at the Water Park there are all sorts of things to do; you can sit down, relax, enjoy the scenery, buy a snow cone (in season), read the newspaper. And during the summer, as part of the County's Arts al Fresco series, there are concerts most Wednesdays; you might want to check http://www.arlingtonarts.org/cultural_affairs/alfresco.htm for the schedule! And then there is The Underground, which is a great place to shop and to walk; we'll be taking a look at this shortly!
2. Virginia Railway Express Station, Crystal Drive at 15th Road South
You may already know that you can reach Crystal City by either the Blue or the Yellow Metrorail lines. But did you know that you can also get here by train? Seven times a day? This commuter train station is just a short walk from the Water Park. From here you can travel as far west as Manassas on one line, and all the way down to Fredericksburg on another. Or you can go north to Union Station, where you can catch trains in virtually any direction.
3. Crystal City Underground, "North" Entrance
Just opposite the train station is the so-called North Entrance to The Underground - even if it is on the east side of the building! Never mind, it's a good place to begin our subterranean journey, with easy access to some of my favorite stops.
4. The Commuter Store
The Crystal City branch of Arlington County's Commuter Store is a fabulous, high-tech place for residents, visitors and those working in Arlington to shop for schedules, fares, and information on the myriad transportation options available in the Washington Metropolitan Area. That means the knowledgeable staff here can help you get around by bus, rail, carpool, vanpool, bicycle or on foot - or all of the above! You can also visit http://www.commuterpage.com/stores.htm for lots more information on all the goodies available from this one-stop commuter paradise.
5, 6. Puppet Heaven and King Street Blues
Turn left at the corner restaurant and head down the hallway in the direction of the neon sign and barnyard animals advertising the popular King Street Blues restaurant. But before getting there, make sure you stop at Puppet Heaven, the only store of its kind in Arlington, and possibly the D.C. area. Besides the cigar-smoking puppet, I am especially fond of the Indonesian shadow puppets. Definitely worth a stop, whether or not you have youngsters in tow. And the staff here really know about puppets - just ask!
7. Optional Side Trip: Crystal City Watchmaker
Need to have a clock repaired? Right down this row of shops to the right is the Crystal City Watchmaker, where they don't just sell watches and clocks, they repair them as well. In fact, I had a mantle clock that belonged to my grandmother that wasn't working any more. So I brought it right here, and within a matter of days it was working and chiming like new.
8, 9. Ship's Hatch and Sushi Garden
Being an Air Force man myself, I love to browse for special gifts for special military friends. You will not believe the paraphernalia one can find here! Everything from postcards to t-shirts to replicas of famous U.S. landmarks. A goldmine for any American!
And practically right across the hall from the Ship's Hatch you can grab some of the best sushi I've found - outside of Japan, that is. Try the California rolls some time; they are yummy!
10. Mad About Bears
This store should have a great, big sign out front that reads, "Grandparents, BEWARE!" Even if you didn't think stuffed bears were your thing, this is almost as much fun as a trip to the zoo. What a collection!
11, 12. The Long Haul (or Hall): Crystal City Metro Entrance and Beyond
Getting to The Underground is pretty easy; the Metrorail stop is right here, so even in bad weather, you don't have to be outside at all. (In fact, next time you might want to begin your walk right here!) Through the glass doors just past the elevators, it's a nice, long hike down this hallway. You never know who you'll run into! And the rewards for finding your way to the south end shops are many, not the least of which is this lovely mural, and...the often sunny....atrium at the far end!
13. Atrium
Even though this is called The Underground, it's not as if you have to go without daylight ad infinitum! Every once in a while you come to a little atrium like this where you can catch some sunlight (on a cloud-free day) and even come above ground entirely if you like. You might just want to rest here for a moment and do some people watching before making the trek back to our starting point.
14, 15. Last Stops: Safeway and B. Dalton
Not everything in The Underground falls under the category of "boutique." Those who live and work here rely on the dozens of service-oriented business in addition to The Commuter Store for everything from eye and hair care to clothing, groceries and reading material, all conveniently co-mingled with the more esoteric shops that draw the crowds.
If the weather is agreeable, wend your way through one final segment of the maze and out the door, then back north on Crystal Drive to the Water Park. But if you prefer, go ahead and explore - you brought your map, I hope - and see whatever else there is to discover while you add to the miles on your pedometer (I hope you brought that as well!). You might just want to wander for hours!
END: The Water Park
Snow cones, anyone? Hope you'll come back again soon!
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Adrian Cronauer is a former U.S. Air Force sergeant who co-authored the original story for the major motion picture, Good Morning, Vietnam! In that film, Cronauer was portrayed (albeit loosely) by Robin Williams whose performance was nominated for an Academy Award. A subsequent special program on National Public Radio about the role of military radio in Vietnam earned Cronauer several awards.
A popular speaker and lecturer, Cronauer periodically appears as a guest on radio and television talk shows. His commentaries have been featured in major newspapers throughout the country and on several radio networks.
Previously a senior partner with the Washington, D.C. law firm of Burch & Cronauer, Cronauer is now Special Assistant to the Director of the Pentagon's POW/MIA Office. He holds a Doctor of Law degree and a masters degree in Media Studies.
While practicing law, Cronauer concentrated in information and communications law. Earlier in his career, Cronauer lived in New York City voicing television and radio commercials, and before that, owned an advertising agency, managed a radio station, was program director of a television station, and a TV news anchorman. He has taught broadcasting at the university level and is the author of a textbook on radio & TV announcing.
Cronauer and his wife, Jeane, have two adult children and five grandchildren.
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NOTE: If walking indoors is not your thing, you are in luck. There is a lot happening in Crystal City to make it more pedestrian (and shopper) friendly from the groud UP. Check out the Nov. 8, 2004 Washington Post article, Crystal City Surfaces, for more information.
